Stacking efficient dry flow bin

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a stacking efficient dry flow bin. The bin can be configured in a nested configuration for transport and in an expanded configuration for use in holding and dispensing a flowable material. The bin is configured to stack with other like bins so that a stack three bins high will fit in the compartment of a standard shipping truck.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/613,302 filed Jan. 3, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a stacking efficient dry flow bin, and more particularly to an improved expandable/collapsible bin for a flowable material that can be nestably stacked three high and transported in such stacked configuration in a standard shipping truck.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Two part containers or bins are known that can be used for dispensing flowable materials, such as seeds. The bins typically include a base and an outer shell or ring such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,022 (“the '022 patent”) by Buckhorn, Inc. The outer ring covers the base in a nested configuration during transport (when empty) and is then flipped upside and secured to the top of the base during use. Unfortunately, the bins shown in the '022 patent are not sized to efficiently transport when empty.

Specifically, the actual bins of the '022 patent made by Buckhorn, Inc. are sized so that the bins can only be stacked two bins high when placed in a standard sized shipping truck in a nested configuration. The ceiling of such trucks is too low for a third bin to be stacked. Accordingly, the number bins that can be transported in a standard truck compartment is around forty-four bins per truck.

The present invention provides an improved bin that can be stacked three bins high and fit in a standard truck compartment, allowing for the transport of more bins in a single truck shipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a dry flow bin that can be efficiently stacked for transport. The bin includes a base and an outer shell that encloses the base in a nested configuration and is connected to a top portion of the base in an expanded configuration when used. The bin is configured to stack three bins high in the nested configuration and still fit in a standard truck for transport when empty. The bin is preferably formed from plastic or some other similar or suitable material.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a stacking efficient dry flow bin is provided. The dry flow bin comprises a base having four side walls and a lower opening. The base extends upward from a lower support structure. The bin also includes an outer shell having four side walls. The outer shell is configured to surround and enclose the base when in a nested position and to extend upward from a top portion of the base in an expanded configuration for use in holding a flowable material. The bin also includes a top cap connectable to the outer shell when in the nested position. The top cap includes a top surface configured to mate with the lower support structure of the base. The bin is configured to be stackable with two other like bins (for a total of three bins) and fit in an upright stacked position in a standard truck storage compartment. Preferably, the bin is designed to be stacked with the two other like bins to a height of approximately 107 inches. The design of the bin enables a total of more than forty-four like bins to fit in the standard truck storage compartment. Preferably, at least sixty-six like bins can fit in the standard truck storage compartment.

The outer shell can include a first strut extending across an opening in the shell from a first side wall to an opposing second side wall proximate one end of the shell. The shell also includes a first brace connected to the first side wall and an end of the first strut proximate the first side wall. The shell can also include a second brace connected to the first side wall and the end of the first strut proximate the first side wall. The first and second braces can be on opposing sides of the first strut. Similar to the two braces connected to the first side wall, the shell can include a third brace connected to the second side wall and an end of the first strut proximate the second side wall, and a fourth brace connected to the second side wall and the end of the first strut proximate the second side wall.

The shell can include one or more additional struts extending from the first side wall to the second side wall. It can also include one or more struts extending perpendicular to the first and second struts (i.e., from the third side wall to an opposing fourth side wall). The additional struts can also include one or more braces.

The top cap includes a first plurality of outer ridge segments extending upward around a periphery of the top cap. Each of the outer ridge segments of the first plurality of outer ridge segments includes a first recess about the outer portion of the segment. The recess can be used to mate with structure in the bottom of a like bin to more securely stack one bin on top of the other.

The first plurality of outer ridge segment can include a first L-shaped corner ridge segment. The first L-shaped corner ridge segment can include a second recess. The first plurality of outer ridge segments can further include a second L-shaped corner ridge segment, a third L-shaped corner ridge segment, and a fourth L-shaped corner ridge segment. Similar to the first L-shaped outer ridge segment, each of the second, third and fourth L-shaped outer ridge segments can include a second recess.

The top cap can also include a second plurality of outer ridge segments extending upward around the periphery of the top cap. Unlike the first plurality of outer ridge segments, the segments in the second plurality of outer ridge segments do not include a recess.

The top cap can further include an upwardly extending central portion proximate a middle of the top cap. The central portion can add strength to the top cap. The central portion can include a first channel. The central portion can also include a second channel perpendicular to the first channel.

Other features of the bin are described herein and are shown in the Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an expandable bin for holding a flowable material in a collapsed or nested configuration in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bin of FIG. 1 is an expanded configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of three bins in a collapsed configuration stacked for transport;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the bin of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the bin of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a base portion of the bin of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the base portion of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the base portion of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an outer shell portion of the bin of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a top of the bin of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

FIG. 1 shows a flowable material bin 10 in accordance with the present invention in a nested configuration and FIG. 2 shows the bin in an expanded configuration. The bin 10 includes a base portion 12 (visible in FIG. 2), an outer shell portion 14 and a top cap 16. The bin 10 is generally rectangular with each of the base portion 12 and the shell portion 14 having four side walls.

When nested, the outer shell 14 encloses and covers most of the base portion 12. The bin 10 can be transported (when empty) in this configuration. During use, the outer shell portion 14 is inverted and attached to an upper section of the base portion 12.

The bin 10 is particularly configured to allow one or more “like” bins 10 to stack one on top of the other when each bin 10 is in the nested configuration. In the present application, a “like” bin refers to an identical or substantially identical bin having the identical or substantially identical outward dimensions in a nested configuration and features which mate with other “like” bins. Three such bins 10 are shown stacked in FIG. 3.

The bins 10 are specifically designed so that they can be stacked three high in the nested configuration in 107 inches—which is the useable interior height of a standard truck storage compartment. This allowed for the truck to carry up to sixty-six bins. Prior bins (such as those made in accordance with the '022 patent) did not stack as efficiently as the present bin 10, and could only stack two high in such trucks. Accordingly, the trucks could only transport up to forty-four of the previously known bins.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base portion 12 includes a lower support portion 18. The lower support portion 18 is the only portion of the base visible when the bin 10 is in the nested configuration.

The bin 10 is configured to dispense a flowable material through an opening in the bottom of the base portion 12. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the bottom of the base portion 14.

The base portion 14 on its own is shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. The base portion 12 includes four side walls 20 and an open top portion. The interior of the base portion 12 includes slanted bottom walls 22 which direct the flowable material to an opening 24 in the middle of the base portion 12.

FIG. 9 shows the outer shell portion 14 on its own. The shell portion 14 includes four side walls 26 and an open top and open bottom. As mentioned, the outer shell 14 surrounds and substantially encloses the base portion 12 when the bin is in a nested configuration (as shown in FIG. 1). The outer shell 14 is inverted (turned upside down) and attached to the top of the base portion 12 when used to hold a flowable material (as shown in FIG. 2). The outer shell 14 includes a first plurality of struts 28 extending across the top opening (in the nested configuration) from a first side wall to an opposing side wall. The outer shell 14 also includes a second plurality of struts 30 perpendicular to the first plurality of struts 28 extending across the opening from the other opposing side walls.

As shown in FIG. 9, each of the first plurality of struts 28 have a first brace 32 and a second brace 34 connected between a side wall and a portion of the strut 28 proximate the side wall. The braces 32, 34 help support each strut 28. While not shown with respect to any of the second plurality of struts 30, such struts 30 can also include one or both of the braces 32, 34.

The top cap 16 is shown in FIG. 10. The top cap 16 includes an upper surface having a plurality of upwardly extending ridges 36 around a periphery of the upper surface. A first set of the ridges 36 include an outer recess 38 and a second set does not include any recess. The first set of ridges includes one in each corner of the top cap 16 having an L-shape. Each of the corner ridges has two of the recesses 38. The bottom support 18 of the base portion 12 is designed to mate with structure on the top cap 16.

The top cap 16 also includes raised structure 40 in a central or middle portion of the support surface. A first channel 42 extends through the raised portion 40, a second channel 44 extends through the raised portion 40 perpendicular to the first channel 42. A center portion 46 extends upward where the first channel 42 meets the second channel 44.

As used herein, directional words or phrases (e.g., upward, top, bottom, right, etc.) are made with respect to the position of the invention as shown in the Figures and as commonly or typically positioned, and are not meant to limit the invention to such position(s).

Other features of the bin 10 are shown in the Figures.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described. 

I claim:
 1. A stacking efficient dry flow bin comprising: a base having four side walls and a lower opening, the base extending upward from a lower support structure; an outer shell having fours side walls, the outer shell configured to surround and enclose the base when in a nested position and to extend upward from a top portion of the base in an expanded configuration for use in holding a flowable material; and, a top cap connectable to the outer shell when in the nested position and having a top surface configured to mate with the lower support structure of the base, wherein the stacking bin is configured to be stackable with two other like bins and fit in an upright stacked position in a standard truck storage compartment.
 2. The dry flow bin of claim 1 wherein the bin is designed to be stacked the two other like bins to a height of approximately 107 inches.
 3. The dry flow bin of claim 1 wherein the bin is designed to enable a total of more than forty-four like bins to fit in the standard truck storage compartment.
 4. The dry flow bin of claim 3 wherein the bin is designed to enable a total of sixty-six like bins to fit in the standard truck storage compartment.
 5. The dry flow bin of claim 1 wherein the outer shell includes a first strut extending across an opening in the shell from a first side wall to an opposing second side wall proximate one end of the shell, and wherein the shell includes a first brace connected to the first side wall and an end of the first strut proximate the first side wall.
 6. The dry flow bin of claim 5 wherein the shell includes a second brace connected to the first side wall and the end of the first strut proximate the first side wall.
 7. The dry flow bin of claim 6 wherein the shell includes a third brace connected to the second side wall and an end of the first strut proximate the second side wall.
 8. The dry flow bin of claim 7 further comprising a second strut extending from the first side wall to the second side wall.
 9. The dry flow bin of claim 1 wherein the top cap includes a first plurality of outer ridge segments extending upward around a periphery of the top cap, each of the outer ridge segments of the first plurality of outer ridge segments including a first recess.
 10. The dry flow bin of claim 9 wherein the first plurality of outer ridge segment includes a first L-shaped corner ridge segment.
 11. The dry flow bin of claim 10 wherein the first L-shaped corner ridge segment includes a second recess.
 12. The dry flow bin of claim 10 wherein the first plurality of outer ridge segments includes a second L-shaped corner ridge segment, a third L-shaped corner ridge segment, and a fourth L-shaped corner ridge segment, each of the second, third and fourth L-shaped outer ridge segments including a second recess.
 13. The dry flow bin of claim 9 further including a second plurality of outer ridge segments extending upward around the periphery of the top cap, wherein each of the second plurality of outer ridge segments does not include a recess.
 14. The dry flow bin of claim 9 wherein the top cap further includes an upwardly extending central portion proximate a middle of the top cap.
 15. The dry flow bin of claim 14 wherein the central portion includes a first channel.
 16. The dry flow bin of claim 15 wherein the central portion includes a second channel perpendicular to the first channel.
 17. The dry flow bin of claim 1 wherein the base, shell and top cap are formed from plastic. 